Khmer in Malaysia

Introduction / History

The Central Khmer speak an Eastern Mon-Khmer language called Khmer, or Cambodian. It is the national language of Cambodia. The two are so intertwined that often people call Khmer Cambodians and vis versa.

The Khmer Empire, which flourished between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, encompassed present-day Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. Its power declined after being conquered by the Thai and the Vietnamese.

In 1969, Cambodia suffered bombings by the U.S. and invasions by the Vietnamese, events that threw the country into turmoil. In addition, a civil war broke out between the Cambodian government and Communist rebels known as the Khmer Rouge. Possibly three million Central Khmer died between 1975 and 1979, while the Khmer Rouge ruled. Thousands fled during the 1970s to other countries including Malaysia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Khmer refugees are still in Malaysia along with their children and grandchildren. Other Cambodians are there for business purposes. Some are students, factory workers, or restaurant workers.

Cambodians enjoy their own cultural institutions and festivals in Malaysia, a multicultural nation. Though Malaysia is dominated by Malay Muslims and the Chinese, there is plenty of room for Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists (like the Khmer) to practice their religion. There are plenty of Buddhist places of worship.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The former Khmer Empire was influenced by India, from which it adopted Hinduism and Buddhism. Today, the majority of the Central Khmer are Buddhist, although relics of ethnic religions such as ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors) and spirit worship are very important to them.

The Buddhist Khmer also seek the middle path to nirvana, or ultimate peace through gaining merit in this life. Merit may be gained through supporting the construction of Buddhist temples, giving food to monks, and studying in the monastery.

What Are Their Needs?

The most pressing need of Khmer people in Malaysia is to understand the truth of the loving God who has made provision for them to become his children and has paid the of full payment of the penalty of their sins. Who will pay the price to tell them?

Prayer Points

Pray for families of Khmer believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches throughout Japan.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families resulting in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Khmer people like yeast changes dough.

Text Source:   Joshua Project